Shopkeepers are earning more profit duping parents
While specific “photos concerning NCERT original books and fake books” are not directly available to display here, information on how to identify fake NCERT books and the consequences of piracy is readily available, along with reports of large-scale seizures of counterfeit books. Fake books often mimic original NCERT editions in layout, price, and barcode design but are characterized by lower print and paper quality, lack of watermarks, and sometimes different binding or paper thickness, according to NCERT reports.
Chandigarh: As soon as the new session started, fake NCERT books were being sold in the markets in Haryana as investigated by this correspondent. It was observed that up to 70 percent of the books were found to be fake which are being sold at the real price. Due to such greed for money, book depot operators are playing with the future of children. NCERT books are mandatory in every district across the state. Since the new school session has just begun and the future of innocent children is being ruined out of greed through fake books being sold openly in the markets. The gangs that fake books are so clever that they know in advance that this time the printing will be late, so they release the fake books in the market a month in advance. A survey in this regard was conducted at Rohtak, Bhiwani and several other towns in the state to purchase books on different subjects from different shops when this mystery was exposed. On investigation by experts, it was found that 70% of these books are fake. What is special is that the fake books are also sold at full price and with heavy profit thus duping parents have to pay the same price for the original books.
On the condition of anonymity, a book distributor disclosed that there is a margin of nearly 10 rupees on an original NCERT book, whereas there is profit of 30 rupees on selling a fake NCERT book, and in order to have more profit, book depot operators are playing with the future of children. NCERT books are compulsory for all students from 5th to 12th class in the districts. This was how the real truth of selling fake books came to light. However, there is a lot of difference in the quality of both fake and original NCERT books. The paper of the fake book was found light and the print was blurred. When asked, the depot operator claimed that the fake book was the real one. When asked for the bill from the shopkeeper, he refused. It was observed that there was a difference in the weight of both books, since the original book weighed 130 grams, while the weight of the fake book was 94 grams. Information revealed that a book was bought from the city’s big market, when the pages of this book were checked, NCERT’s watermark was not found on any page, neither the printing nor the paper was up to mark. The shopkeeper also warned not to take the book back after sale.
According to Prof. MV Srinivasan, Head Publications Division, NCERT, all NCERT books have a watermark, which is visible on one out of every 8 pages of the book. If anyone looks carefully, he will find it. He said, if any shopkeeper is selling a book without watermark, make a complaint about it immediately, enabling action will be taken against the shopkeeper. “Good quality paper is used in printing NCERT books,” Srinivasan said to identify fake NCERT books check Watermark, since original NCERT books usually have a faint NCERT logo watermark on many pages, which can be found by checking few pages, since pirated books may lack this watermark.
According to an NCERT spokesperson, authentic NCERT books are printed on thick, white paper with sharp text while fake books often use thinner, yellowish paper and exhibit blurry or faded print. According to an NCERT spokesperson, Charts and graphics in genuine NCERT books are clear and colorful, unlike the blurry or less vibrant images in pirated versions. Original NCERT books have strong binding, whereas fakes might have loose or crooked binding. Selling or buying pirated NCERT books is a crime and violates, as such avoid purchasing or distributing pirated books. He said, one can email complaints about fake/pirated NCERT textbooks or overcharging to vigleg.ncert@gmail.com. One can also inform NCERT directly about suspected fake books.
